Tiffani Garlic /The Star-LedgerKeisha Denman and 9-month old Kristina of Bound Brook, Denman is one of about 700 residents who were temporarily displaced by this weekend's flood.BOUND BROOK -- Keisha Denman was stunned by the three red stickers she found on her front door when she returned to her Bound Brook home today.

"I can’t believe this is happening to me, I thought that I would see one sticker, not three," she said, staring at the notices on her West Main Street home informing her that the foundation needed to be repaired, the electrical system needed to be checked and a water heater needed to be replaced before she would be allowed inside.

By evening, however, progress had been made and Denman was hoping to return home later this week.

This is the second flood she’s survived since moving from Paterson in 2006, but she’s not sure she can endure another.

"We really love it here," she said of her husband and three children, "but unfortunately it’s in front of a river," she said.

More than 100 people remained in a shelter at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg today. But while most of the flood-afflicted have been able to return to their homes and assess the damage in Somerset County, parts of northern New Jersey remain underwater.

According to the National Weather Service, the Passaic, Rockaway and Wanaque Rivers remained above flood stage today. Major flooding continued to occur near Little Falls, where the Passaic River may not fall below flood stage until Friday evening.

About 9,200 homes and businesses remained without power today, the utility companies said.

Denman started packing clothes and blankets around 10 Saturday night, after residents were warned to move their cars to higher ground. A half-hour later, they were told to evacuate.

They Denmans headed for the shelter at Bound Brook High School. On Tuesday, the family moved with the shelter to the gym at Raritan Valley.

The Denmans are relying on hourly county buses to run errands and to shuttle 8-year-old Ethan to school.

However, 7-year-old Evan, who is autistic, goes to school outside the bus route, so stayed at the shelter with his father.

Keisha and Jonathan Denman moved to Bound Brook looking for a better life and Keisha Denman said the two-story duplex complete with porch and backyard seemed perfect.

"I thought it was a better place for my children," she said "Of course, no one wants to live in a flood zone, but I thought that was something that only happened in a blue moon."

Denman returned to her home for the first time today as a steady stream of construction vehicles and utility trucks rumbled down the narrow street, attempting to restore services to the neighborhood.

Residents and business owners piled soaked items on curbs and pumped gallons of water from their buildings.

A few houses down the block, where Denman had lived just two months ago, only minor water damage occurred in the basement and no one was evacuated.

Denman’s basement was swamped by more than four feet of water, completely destroying a living room set, refrigerator, washer, dryer and countless family photos.

After surveying the damage, a devastated Denman sat on her steps. She whispered to her 9-month-old daughter Kristina, "Looks like we’re going to have to move baby."

Denman’s landlord, Joe Baxter of Flemington, showed up to clear debris and sanitize the four-unit building. A wet, musty smell emanated from the water-logged basement as he pulled on yellow gloves and got to work.

"We can only work as fast as the township let’s us," he said, noting that yesterday was the first day he was able to physically walk onto the property.

Though she appreciates the Red Cross’ efforts Denman is not looking forward to continuing to use group showers, bunking with over 100 people and eating buffet-style in the college’s cafeteria.

"I was able to sleep, but I kept awakening to people coughing, there are a lot of sick kids there," she said. "We’re going on a week now," she said. "I just want to go back home."

By Wednesday night, Denman said the basement was cleared, her gas was on and a water heater had been installed. Denman said going home seemed a little closer.

"I think for now this is the best place for me and my family," Denman said as she pushed Kristina in a stroller.

Floods from nor'easter close Main Street area businesses in Bound Brook

Floods from nor'easter close Main Street area businesses in Bound Brook The floods have receded from the streets of Bound Brook, but the cleanup continues. The usually bustling Main Street shops, bars and restaurants are without customers as a result of last week's nor'ester. The streets are lined with water-damaged goods as business owners work to re-open their doors. (Video by Andre Malok / The Star-Ledger)